Page 2: Hung up on Hugelman

So the reports are that Eric Hugelman is returning to work at the Mammoth Lakes Police Department.

This is the same Sgt. Hugelman who was dismissed from the MLPD after several behavioral incidents, including two fights in Las Vegas and a bar fight at Rusty’s.

Of course, it’s no surprise he got his job back. When has the Town of Mammoth Lakes ever won anything in court? Former Town Attorney Peter Tracy retired with a perfect record.

Word is that Hugelman, having beaten the Town to get his job back, now wants to sue the hell out of everyone in sight.

The injustice of it all!

There is no shame anymore. No personal responsibility. Just blame. It’s the bartender’s fault when a patron gets drunk and stupid.

Per usual, we (the media) got wind about the reinstatement, but nothing more. Council can’t talk about it because it’s a personnel matter. The Chief of Police is conveniently on vacation (again).

So I called Hugelman directly to ask him why the hell he would want to return to the force.

Unfortunately, it was a bad connection. That or he hung up on me. It sounded like the latter.

I can’t say I am looking forward to seeing Hugelman back on the job. Frankly, the thought of him walking around town with a gun on his belt makes me nervous. Past events would indicate he may have some anger management issues. If the Town does have to take him back, I would hope that he is confined to a desk at the station. I would fear for the public safety if he is allowed to patrol.

Given Hugleman’s history, would any arrest this officer might make stand up in court? What is his credibility?

Perhaps I am wrong about this. And I would love to be wrong about this. Maybe Hugelman is one of those rare human beings who can compartmentalize, leave the past in the past, and return to duty as an effective law enforcement officer.

But when one gets hung up on, the impression it leaves is that bygones are not bygones.

Meanwhile, former MLPD Chief Randy Schienle is out on a golf course somewhere with a sixpack in the cooler …

And from Kirkner’s desk …

Graham comments on Anderson sentence

Following is the official press statement from Deputy District Attorney Todd Graham regarding the sentencing of Jonathan Anderson, the man who was found hiding under his potential victim’s bed. “Mr. Jonathan Anderson was arrested on Oct. 4, 2010, in Mammoth Lakes for attempted murder, domestic violence, and violation of the terms his parole. He was charged by the Mono County District Attorney’s Office with felony aggravated assault on the victim. A preliminary hearing was held on October 12, 2010, where the victim was called on behalf of the prosecution and the defendant’s brother testified on behalf of the defense regarding what they saw during the incident.Based upon this testimony both sides agreed to a compromise resolution of the matter whereby the defendant, on January 11, 2011, pled no contest to a misdemeanor charge of aggravated assault. At his sentencing hearing in Bridgeport on February 15, 2011, pursuant to an agreement between the parties, Judge Magit placed Mr. Anderson on five years of formal probation. The defendant was ordered to complete a 52-week domestic violence class, have no contact with the victim, abstain from the use or possession of alcohol, attend counseling as ordered by the probation department, receive credit for the amount of jail he already served, amongst other terms. Because he had a prison parole hold and at least one other case in another county, the defendant was released from Mono County (though remained in custody) to be transported to attend to those matters.”

Attempted suicide at Shady Rest

On Tuesday, March 1, at approximately 3:45 p.m., Mono County Sheriff’s Department dispatch received a call regarding a man found bleeding from a possible attempted suicide in his vehicle near Shady Rest Park. Mammoth Lakes Police Department Officers arrived on scene first, located the victim and transported him to Mammoth Hospital to tend to his injuries.

Mono County Sheriff’s Deputies arrived on scene to conduct the investigation. Upon examination of the vehicle, a .22 rifle, an empty package of sleeping pills and several alcohol containers were located. There was no evidence that the rifle was fired. The incident is still under investigation. –MCSD Press release

Council closed session and RecStrats

Wednesday evening’s Town Council meeting was solely a closed session agenda. According to Mayor Skip Harvey, Council discussed the Hot Creek litigation but there was no reportable action. The body also formally approved Interim Town Manager Marianna Marysheva Matinez’s contract.

Also on Wednesday, the RecStrats implemetation kickoff meeting was held at the Community Center. RecStrats is the process underway to help shape the future of Mammoth’s recreation. Consultants Austin McInerny, Carl Ribaudo and Danna Stroud facilitated the meeting and reviewed what the next three and half months of meetings would entail. There will be a meeting for each of the seven core strategies in the document (the first was held Thursday afternoon). McInerny explained that the beginning of each meeting would be an overview of RecStrats. Meetings would then describe the core strategy up for discussion and its importance, as well as hold small group exercises to determine what is financially viable and will provide quality of life for the entire community.

The highlight of the meeting came shortly after McInerny had sternly reviewed the etiquette rules for the meetings. One of the rules was to turn your cell phone off, and any of the rules could lead to McInerny asking a participant to leave the meeting. Several minutes later, as Ribaudo was speaking, McInerny’s cell phone started ringing.

“I’ve already violated my own rule,” he quipped.

The next RecStrats meeting is scheduled for April 13. If you are unable to attend the meetings, look for the comment stations set up at Snowcreek Athletic Club, the Mammoth Library and the Mammoth Post Office. You can also participate online at www.recstrats.com.